SKYMATES: Love, Sex and Evolutionary Astrology, Vol. I 
by Jodie Forrest and Steven Forrest
The website of Jodie Forrest and Steven Forrest: Alpha Lyra Consulting & Seven Paws Press
SKYMATES: Love, Sex and Evolutionary Astrology, Vol. I
Our own Seven Paws Press has published a new, revised expanded edition of this synastry classic, with lots of evolutionary and "cookbook" material. "Cookbook" material means specific interpretations of individual astrological configurations, such as Sun in Capricorn, or your partner's Mercury conjuncts your Mercury. Scroll down for the Table of Contents, the Preface to the New Edition, reviews, ordering information, and photos of Steven & Jodie slaving away at writing the new Skymates! Click here for the sequel, Skymates II: The Composite Chart.
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Dedication
Acknowledgments
Preface to the New Edition (scroll down to read it!)
Chapter One: Magic or Murderous Mythology?.
Chapter Two: Instant Astrology
Chapter Three: Instant Synastry
Chapter Four: Love and Individuality
Chapter Five: Love and War
Chapter Six: The Arc of Intimacy
Chapter Seven: The Arc of Intimacy—The Fourth House
Chapter Eight: The Arc of Intimacy—The Fifth House
Chapter Nine: The Arc of Intimacy—The Sixth House
Chapter Ten: The Arc of Intimacy—The Seventh House
Chapter Eleven: The Arc of Intimacy—The Eighth House
Chapter Twelve: How Birthcharts Interact
Chapter Thirteen: Interaspects
Chapter Fourteen: Your Planets, My Sky
Chapter Fifteen: Putting It All Together
Chapter Sixteen: The Fitzgeralds
Conclusion: Border Wars
Appendix One
Appendix Two: The Principles of Evolutionary AstrologyPREFACE TO THE NEW EDITION:
SKYMATES: Love, Sex, and Evolutionary Astrology, Volume One
(Copyright Jodie and Steven Forrest, 2002, all rights reserved. You may quote brief passages in reviews,
if we are properly credited--thanks! send us email)This new edition of Skymates is based on the previous edition in about the same way a Boeing 777 is based on the contraption the Wright brothers flew. Even if you have a dog-eared copy of the older book, we encourage you to open this one at random and
take a look. You'll see the differences right away.
Our previous Skymates came out toward the end of the last century, in 1989, as a Bantam Books original, and the identical text was reprinted in 1992 under a new cover by ACS Publications.
Saying “toward the end of the last century” may seem precious here in the summer of 2001, but it feels right. When we wrote that book, we had been married only four or five years—whistling past the graveyard, we joked a lot about tempting the Fates by writing a book about marriage so early in our own journey together. Now we're twenty years down the road, still loving each other one day at a time. We've learned a thing or two, and we've incorporated all of that into these pages. That's one big difference.
Another difference is that we're both in bed with our publishers nowadays. Seven Paws Press is our own business. That gives us a lot of freedom to write in our own voices, independent of the pervasive pressure on astrological writers to dumb everything down. We're still stinging from a conversation with an editor who insisted that “enhanced” was too hard a word for the astrological audience. We know that you, our readers, are smarter than that. On the other hand, perhaps we should be thankful to that editor—Seven Paws Press owes a lot of its direction and intent to that exchange.
There are also many concrete differences between this new book and the previous one. The most obvious distinction is that we've added extensive “cookbook” sections. Learning to think astrologically is really the higher ground, but many readers have expressed appreciation for simply being able to look things up. If your natal Sun squares your partner's Venus, turn to Chapter Thirteen. If you are wondering about the sexual significance of Saturn being in your eighth house, try Chapter Eleven.
We've come to particularly “enhanced” understandings of the intimate meanings of two of astrology's core symbols: the fourth and sixth houses. We've added those perspectives to our previous “arc of intimacy” material—and supplemented that entire section of the book with detailed analyses of what it means to have each particular planet in houses four, five, six, seven or eight. Name the configuration: it's there.
Back in our Bantam Books days, we were discouraged from making our writing “too spiritual.” That led to a diminished focus on the evolution of consciousness, and specifically on the psychological dynamics of reincarnation. We've filled that vacuum here—although if you are uncomfortable with the idea of reincarnation, we think you will still find the book mostly accessible. Some of our assumptions are unabashedly metaphysical, but we try to speak the verifiable language of experience, and also of psychology. You can, in all cases, try on what we say and see if it works for you.
Finally, to make room for the extra content, something had to go. We decided to excise all the material about the composite chart which made up Part Four, “The Eternal Triangle,” of the original Skymates. That was a hard choice, but it was made even more pressing by the fact that we have learned enough about the composite chart over the last fourteen years to fill another book.
Writing that one is our next project. We hope to have Skymates, Volume Two: The Composite Chart, available sometime in 2003.--Jodie and Steven Forrest
Borrego Springs, California
July 21, 2001ORDERING INFORMATION:
The new SKYMATES is available from us for $19.95 per copy, plus $6.00 for priority mail shipping (or $4.00 media mail for one book) if your order total is less than $50.00. The book is a trade paperback, 6" x 9", ISBN 0964911353. If you don't want to get it from us, please ask your local bookstore to order it! It's in Books in Print, so they can do so. Our wholesaler is Baker and Taylor, and our distributors are Bookpeople, New Leaf, Weiser/Red Wheel and, in Europe, Gazelle.
Click here to order Skymates I: Love, Sex, and Evolutionary Astrology from us.
Amazon.com also carries this book. Click here to order it from Amazon:SOME QUOTES ABOUT THE FORRESTS' WORK:
“As intelligent and cogent as it is poetic.”—Sting
"Properly practiced, astrology attempts to address the apparent consonance or dissonance between our lives here and the sky. Jodie and Steven Forrest bring us into that space, and into the spaces between us, with grace, humour and informed awareness. In this book, astrology is the portal through which you will examine relationships in a manner worthy of any of the world's wisdom traditions. We should also describe the book this way: "Astrology---Not Just for Astrologers Anymore."--Scott Ainslie, Musician (CDs: Jealous of the Moon; Terraplane) and Author of "Robert Johnson/At The Crossroads"
"Like all of the Forrests' work, Skymates is rich with wisdom and humor. Their well-documented research is deftly folded into lyrical parables that reveal the mysteries of relationships and offer equipment for living.--Linda Belans, host of the medical ethics radio show "Do No Harm," http://donoharm.duke.edu.
"Steven and Jodie take astrology to a whole new level by returning it to its original intent; to offer us an outline for our evolutionary paths so we can discover our own meaning in life. Their work infuses you with wit, wisdom, and humor along the way...and with a wealth of information found nowhere else."--Keith Cleversley, Record Producer; Flaming Lips, Sound of Urchin, Moses Leroy, Hum.
"A fantastic guide for those looking to discover or recover that romantic spark!"
--Kelli Fox, astrologer, founder of www.astrology.com"Please treat yourself to the deep insights that these two wonderful souls offer within this book."--Jeffrey Wolf Green, author of Pluto: The Evolutionary Journey of the Soul, and Pluto: The Soul's Evolution through Relationships.
"There are very few astrology books in Turkey. You can count them by the fingers of two hands. Three of them are written by Steven and Jodie Forrest. The Inner Sky is like the Bible (which is the Quran here) for my students, in the sense that they carry it everywhere they go. From The Changing Sky, they are learning how to create their own future, and from Skymates, I personally have learned what a soulmate is... I think they are great astrologers and writers."--Baris Ilhan, astrologer, publisher
"Steven and Jodie Forrest's work, specifically in this case Skymates, has shown me that astrology IS a spiritual and powerful tool that has a place in the 21st century and beyond. Their teaching powers, in clarity and real life examples, are second to none. They are far more than amazing astrologers and prove it within these pages."
--Bill Janis, Promotion/Marketing Manager for Reprise Records"Jodie and Steve access an incredible amount of the world's collective knowledge of spirituality, psychology, mythology and the symbols of our quest for self awareness and actualization. Equal to their knowledge is their ability to iintegrate the essentials and teach them through their chosen vehicle, astrology. It's a rich discovery to find wit and wisdom, knowledge and intiution all blended in one person. To find it in both is indeed a treasure."--Gloria D. Karpinski, author BAREFOOT ON HOLY GROUND and WHERE TWO WORLDS TOUCH
"Steven and Jodie's intuitive yet scientific approach make this a wonderful guide to interpersonal relationships. Their sound astrological principles are undeniably helpful, informative and make good practical sense."
--Danny Kee, Director of A&R, Warner Brothers Records"Steven and Jodie Forrest are two of the most genuinely wise people I have ever known, and the miracle is how fluidly that knowledge flows through their writings and teachings. Their work has given guidance, insight and a profound understanding to my life and that of countless others."--Rob Lehmann, author of Cooking for Life; professor, Philadelphia University; Humanitarian of the Year, Philadelphia.
"En la literatura astrolóógica son raros y preciosos los matrimonios perfectos: Buen inglés y magníífica astrologíía, sentido comúún y profunda espiritualidad, objetividad y optimismo, precisión técnica e imágenes conmovedoras. Definitivamente SKYMATES.
(Translation: Perfect marriages are rare and precious in astrological literature. Good
English and magnificent astrology, common sense and deep spirituality, objectivity and optimism, technical precision and moving images. These are Skymates' achievements.)
--Luis Lesur, author of Astrologia Cotidiana"I have been receiving readings from Steven Forrest for ten years now. What he`s done for me is not to predict my future but to help me meditate on some of the warnings I might look out for, based on a scientific but more importantly a compassionate approach. These readings have improved the quality of my life."
--Dominic Miller, guitarist for Sting, The Pretenders; composer."Skymates is an unforgettable literary journey that will enrich your personal consciousness while ultimately leading to more fulfilling relationships."
--Laure Redmond, author of Feel Good Naked."One of the first appointments I made after the birth of my daughter was for an astrology reading with Steven and Jodie Forrest. Now, fifteen years later, I still refer to its contents and am grateful for their insight in helping me honor her uniqueness and support her strengths and weaknesses. I can't imagine a more valuable gift that parents could give to their child."--Susan B. Reintjes, psychic, author of THIRD EYE OPEN: Unmasking Your True Awareness.
"To write a powerful book on the astrology of relationships takes two things: a vast knowledge of astrology and a fantastical, loving relationship in life. When these two things merge, well, the results are nothing short of miraculous. The Forrests have both. Caution: insight and miraculous relationship knowledge inside."
--Philip Sedgwick, Author of Astrology of Deep Space, The Sun at the Center."From their insight and understanding, you'd think Jodie and Steven were your closest childhood friends. They have an uncanny ability to gently unravel the tightest knots of your inner self." --Eric Silver, award winning songwriter: Dixie Chicks, Donna Summer, Diamond Rio. Producer: Michelle Wright, Neal McCoy, Reba McEntire
REVIEW OF THE NEW SKYMATES:
How do you pick the very best material to begin your study of astrology?
What approach can genuinely be the most helpful to yourself and others?
You are fortunate indeed if SKYMATES becomes one of your first ragged,
dog-eared, and beloved astrology books. Jodie and Steven Forrest bring
their gifts of wit and wisdom succinctly to the study of relationship
astrology. Experienced astrologers will also discover SKYMATES ignites
a fresh and openhearted inquisitiveness about their own approach to
chart comparison. The Forrests initially discuss how astrology can
enhance the quality of mutual understanding in relationships.'The gift astrology offers is simply one of clear seeing. It serves as
a wise third party, mirroring each lover's viewpoint, needs and nature
with neutrality and evolutionary insight. Used sensitively, it does not
pontificate and judge. That's not how conscious, evolutionary astrology
operates.'Chapter 2 conveniently presents a compact and energized speed course
called 'Instant Astrology'. Illuminated descriptions of signs, planets,
and houses are all thoroughly supplemented by easy reference graphs.
The Forrests take readers on an up close and personal tour of the chart
and the aspect grid.A table of archetypes for each sign includes numerous images to reflect
different levels of expression through the signs. These archetypical
descriptions are referred to throughout the book and help readers
develop their own ease of interpretive perceptivity about the symbols.The 'Instant Synastry' chapter offers a basic technical explanation
about the astrology of partnership. Technical basics covered; the
reading journey begins a purposeful and clear-cut instruction on how
astrology, applied wisely, can 'serve as an ally in the process of
loving'.Wisdom and psychological insight are brightly interwoven throughout
descriptions of the Sun, Moon and Ascendant sign by sign. The chart is
presented as a tool to learn from past life experiences. SKYMATES
provides rich instructive examples on how to extract this information
from the horoscope and interpret it intelligently.The next section introduces the dynamics of 'Love and War' namely, Venus
and Mars. Each planet receives ample explanation through the signs. The
'psychological dynamics of reincarnation' are included within the
descriptions of Mars and Venus including 'evolutionary intent' and 'soul
desire'.Is it necessary to believe in reincarnation to benefit from this book?
The passages that examine soul evolution infuse a strong and steady dose
of common sense. Valuable insight about personal psychology and healthy
relationships makes this material significant far beyond any debate
about reincarnation. SKYMATES is useful with or without a personal
belief in past lives due to the enormity of self-help counsel and expert
astrological technique presented.The Forrests explain the 'Arc of Intimacy,' houses Four through Eight,
as vital to understanding relationship dynamics. A chapter entitled
'Your Planets My Sky' is opulent with humor and empathy. This section
skillfully explains how one person's planets might be experienced by
their partner and visa versa.New astrologers will appreciate Chapter 15 entitled 'Putting it All
Together'. This includes a section of six strategic guidelines to
compare charts step by step.. (and how to avoid getting overwhelmed).
There is even a section called 'Time for Another Trip to the Teapot'.
(!) Readers may feel they are working with Jodie and Steven as their
personal coaches who steadily support and encourage them to 'think
astrologically'.A real life comparison of two famous people follows. This is a superb
astro-biographical sketch of a couple portrayed within the context of
Evolutionary Astrology. The Forrests first introduced a step-by-step
process. Now they skillfully demonstrate all these points working
together in a symphony of meaning. Astrologers at all levels can easily
understand this superb chart comparison.The final chapter, 'Border Wars', offers a contemporary revelation about
the effects of gender projection. The Forrests realistically examine why
horoscope interpretation can comfortably exist outside the pressure of
gender-based classification. This encourages a new wave of astrologers
to be minimally influenced by outdated texts that use gender labels from
past eras to define astrological symbols today. The balance of the
masculine and feminine within each individual is discussed as key to
evolving positively as a society. Astrology, from the Forrest's
perspective, can effectively play a potent role in this process.The Principles of Evolutionary Astrology are defined and clarified in
Appendix Two. Astrology students interested in past life dynamics will
find this section particularly relevant to their own studies.SKYMATES is a revolutionary signpost of wisdom for anyone who wants to
uncover the secrets of successful relationships in the horoscope. It
also responsibly demonstrates how astrology can be used with sensitivity
and integrity. This book is invaluable to new students to astrology and
experienced astrologers.SKYMATES is a new edition of an enormously popular first version
published in 1989. We can look forward to the companion volume,
SKYMATES Volume Two: The Composite Chart available in
2003. (Reviewed by Jan Angel, AstrologyOnline.Info)REVIEWS OF THE ORIGINAL SKYMATES:
Advanced Astrology Book of the Year award, January 2002, from HOROSKOPET magazine (formerly GALAXEN magazine), astrology center, publisher and museum, Denmark.
"...down to earth, beautifully written, with enough anecdotes and samples to make reading a pleasure and understanding easy. It's great to know that some astrologers (too few) write erudite books without sounding stuffy, and impart good material without repeating themselves ten times."
-- Marion D. March, ASPECTS magazine"...when two writers who don't seem to know the meaning of "trite" take on love, the result can be quite interesting. Steven and Jodie Forrest have distinguished themselves -- together and separately -- as first-rate writers, and what they have to say would be interesting whether it was about astrology or not. When you combine those writing skills with an equally-fine knowledge of astrology, you have something that most people interested in astrology will want to read....a good read and good handbook."
-- Kenneth Irving, AMERICAN ASTROLOGYIn July, 2001, Steven and Jodie escaped to their friend Ingrid Coffin's desert retreat--thank you, Ingrid!--where they spent 10 days revising and expanding the new Skymates. As you can see, they were working very hard... And Now, The Photos!
.............
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